Brain motion and
emotion
Billy O’Connor
Professor of Physiology
Graduate Entry Medical School,
University of Limerick.
Ireland.
22nd July 2015

Learning objectives
1. What is the link between physical activity and human brain
evolution?
2. How has human brain evolution enabled us to emotionally
engage and anticipate the intentions of others?

Many cortical areas are involved in initiating a movement.
Brain regions and functions
What the
person does
What the
person senses

Let's not forget that humans also gained endurance by running from predators.
Humans have a brain that is about three times the size that would be
expected, given our body size in comparison with that of other mammals.
Physical activity made our brains human
June 22, 2011

Physical activity and academic performance in school-age
children
Why is this?

Physical activity and academic performance in school-age
children
Nature neuroscience reviews
Vol 9. 2008.

Exercise increases ‘neurogenesis’
(growth of neurons) in the
hippocampus - a region important for
memory and implicated in cognitive
aging.
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A 104(13):5638-43 (2007).
Warmer colours indicate higher
levels of nerve growth factor in the
hippocampus of [A] exercising
animals compared to [B] sedentary
animals
- blue indicates the lowest level.
Fitness training increases neurogenesis

Stroke recovery is boosted by prozac (fluoxetine)

Read more on Inside-the-brain

Group behaviours (social contagion)
THE SOCIAL BRAIN & THE MIRROR NEURON
SYSTEM
Mirror neurons are a means of understanding another’s intentions and are not just
about copying actions. They form a part of our capacity to understand others and
empathise with them.
The mirror neuron system enables us to engage with others

Science, 325, 5938, 284, 2009.
Empathy is facilitated when we share attention.
The social brain and the mirror neuron system

Read more on Inside-the-brain

“Fortune favours the prepared mind.” - Louis Pasteur.
Mind set Skills Education
Interesting books in this area

1. Physical endurance drives human brain evolution by promoting
neurogenesis.
2. The evolution of the brain mirror neuron system enables us to
respond sympathetically and to anticipate the intentions of
others.
Summary